Can Dogs Eat Bananas? | Front Of The Pack
If your dog is giving you puppy eyes when you're snacking, you may be asking yourself, "can dogs eat bananas?" Most canines love human food, but not all human snacks are good for them to indulge in. When it comes to healthy pet treats, you may be pleasantly surprised by bananas.
Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
As a general rule of thumb, bananas are perfectly fine for dogs to occasionally indulge in and they can be a great alternative to processed, fatty treats. Bananas are rich in vitamins and nutrientshttps://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/bananas, including vitamin B6, potassium and vitamin C. For dogs who have gastrointestinal problems, the fiber content can regulate their digestion and they can help the body produce protein, absorb vitamins and promote bone growth.
It’s important you don’t feed your dog too many bananas, as they can cause stomach upset. They’re also very high in natural sugars which human bodies can handle much better than dogs. While bananas are generally healthy for dogs, avoid giving them the peel, though it isn't toxic, it is hard for dogs to digest.
Some dogs have allergies/learn/dog-food/5-foods-you-should-always-avoid-if-your-dog-has-allergies and other sensitivities. While bananas are not typical triggers, always be on the lookout for symptoms when trying new foods.
How Can Dogs Eat Bananas?
Bananas are one of the few human snacks you can safely share with your pup. Many dogs love them and will happily eat them with no coaxing, but there are a variety of ways to offer the delicious fruit for pickier pooches
Mix With Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is rich in fat and protein, two nutrients dogs crave. Like humans, dogs have fat-specific taste buds so not only is peanut butter tasty and safe for your dog in moderation, but it is a long-lasting treat. Before you let your dog have any peanut butter, check the label to make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol. This is a very common ingredient found in some peanut butter as it helps it keep its gooey consistency but xylitol can be deadly to dogs.
Many people like to use peanut butter on lick mats and other toys. Licking not only releases endorphins for dogs but also keeps them occupied. Mix banana and peanut butter and spread it over the mat or toy. Freeze the silicone mat with the peanut butter banana mixture for a longer-lasting treat. If you’re trying to get your dog used to being groomed or having their nails trimmed, some frozen banana and peanut butter can be a great distraction for them.
Mash in Food
If you want to change up your pet's food for variety, add healthy fruits or vegetables to a bowl of regular food. For dogs that love bananas, mashing bananas in dog food offers all of the health benefits while adding a new flavor profile. Adding small amounts of new foods to your dog's meals can keep them open to different foods.
Freeze the Banana
Freezing bananas can provide your dogs with a cool treat on a summer day or a long-lasting snack. Freeze a banana, peel it and slice it into bite-sized pieces. Feed your dog the slices as is or stuff the frozen banana into a fillable toy.
At Front of the Pack, we understand the importance of high-quality, safe food for your furry best friend. Check out our variety of super yummy and healthy dog treats.